(a) A mental health plan shall notify beneficiaries, prospective beneficiaries, and members of the public of all of the following information:

(1) The availability of language assistance services, including oral interpretation and translated written materials, free of charge and in a timely manner, when those services are necessary to provide meaningful access to an individual with limited English proficiency (LEP).

(2) The availability of appropriate auxiliary aids and services, including qualified interpreters for individuals with disabilities and information in alternate formats, free of charge and in a timely manner, when those aids and services are necessary to ensure an equal opportunity to participate for individuals with disabilities.

(3) A mental health plan does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, marital status, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability.

(4) The availability of the grievance procedure and how to file a grievance, including identification of, and contact information for, the designated mental health plan representative.

(5) How to file a discrimination complaint with the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights if there is a concern of discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

(b) Written notice of the availability of free language assistance services shall be provided in English and in the top 15 languages spoken by LEP individuals in California, as determined by the department, and consistent with the requirements identified in Part 92 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations and Section 1557 of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. § 18116).

(c) (1) The information described in subdivisions (a) and (b) shall be provided in the following manner:

(A) In the beneficiary handbook.

(B) Posted in conspicuous physical locations where the mental health plan interacts with the public.

(C) On the internet website published and maintained by the mental health plan, in a manner that allows beneficiaries, prospective beneficiaries, and members of the public to easily locate the information.

(2) To the extent the information described in subdivisions (a) and (b) is not included in existing informational notices, a mental health plan shall add this information at the time of the next regularly scheduled update of the applicable publication.

(d) Oral interpretation services shall be provided to an LEP beneficiary by an interpreter that, at a minimum, meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) Demonstrated proficiency in speaking and understanding both English and the language spoken by the LEP beneficiary.

(2) The ability to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressly, to and from the language spoken by the LEP beneficiary and English, using any necessary specialized vocabulary, terminology, and phraseology.

(3) Adherence to generally accepted interpreter ethics principles, including client confidentiality.

(e) A mental health plan shall not require an LEP beneficiary to provide the beneficiary’s own interpreter or rely on a staff member who does not meet the qualifications described in subdivision (d) to communicate directly with the LEP beneficiary.

(f) A mental health plan shall not rely on an adult or minor child accompanying the LEP beneficiary to interpret or facilitate communication except under either of the following circumstances:

(1) In an emergency, as defined by the department, and an interpreter who meets the qualifications described in subdivision (d) is not immediately available for the LEP beneficiary.

(2) If the LEP beneficiary specifically requests that the accompanying adult interpret or facilitate communication, the accompanying adult agrees to provide that assistance, and reliance on that accompanying adult for that assistance is appropriate under the circumstances.

(g) This section shall be implemented only to the extent that federal financial participation is available and is not otherwise jeopardized.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 322. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020. Conditionally inoperative as provided in Section 14721.)